Methods for screening compound libraries

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are methods for screening compound libraries using frontal chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry to identify and rank these members of the library that bind to a target receptor. Methods are also disclosed which permit a compound library to be rapidly screened to determine if any members of the library have a higher affinity for the target receptor relative to a pre-selected indicator compound.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. ______ filed Mar. 27, 1998, as Attorney Docket No. 026579-172 and entitled “Micro-Scale Frontal Affinity Chromatography Methods for the Screening of Compound Libraries,” which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to methods for screening compound libraries, such as compound libraries generated using combinatorial chemistry techniques. The methods of this invention employ frontal chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry to screen a library of compounds to identify and rank those members of the library that bind to a target receptor. The methods of this invention also permit a compound library to be rapidly screened to determine if any member of the library has a higher affinity for the target receptor relative to a pre-selected indicator compound.

REFERENCES

[0003] The following publications, patents and patent applications are cited in this application as superscript numbers:

[0004] 1 K. S. Lam, Anti-Cancer Drug Des. 1997, 12, 145-167.

[0005] 2 P. M. Sweetnam et al., In Burger's Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery; M. E. Wolff, Ed.; John Wiley & Sons: New York, 1995; pp 697-731.

[0006] 3 R. H. Griffey et al., In Proceedings of the 45^(th) ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Palm Springs, Calif., Jun. 1-5, 1997; p. 400.

[0007] 4 L. Fang et al., In Proceedings of the 45^(th) ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Palm Springs, Calif., Jun. 1-5, 1997; p. 401.

[0008] 5 Y.-H. Chu et al., J. Am. Chen. Soc. 1996, 118, 7827-7835.

[0009] 6 Y.-Z. Zhao et al., J. Med. Chem. 1997, 40, 4006-4012.

[0010] 7 Y. F. Hsieh et al., J. Mol. Div. 1996, 2, 189-196.

[0011] 8 R. W. Nelson et al., Anal. Chem. 1995, 67, 1153-1158.

[0012] 9 D. C. Schriemer and L. Li, Anal. Chem. 1996, 68, 3382-3387.

[0013] 10 PCT/US97/07964 (International Publication No. WO 97/43641), published Nov. 20, 1997, entitled “Molecular Diversity Screening Device and Method.”

[0014] 11 R. Wieboldt et al., Anal. Chem. 1997, 69, 1683-1691.

[0015] 12 R. B. van Breemen et al., Anal. Chem. 1997, 69, 2159-2164.

[0016] 13 M. L. Nedved et al., Anal. Chem. 1996, 68, 4228-4236.

[0017] 14 PCT/US95/03355 (International Publication No. WO 95/25737), published Sep. 28, 1995, entitled “Method for Identifying Members of Combinatorial Libraries.”

[0018] 15 PCT/EP97/02215 (International Publication No. WO 97/43301), published Nov. 20, 1997, entitled “Identification of Members of Combinatorial Libraries By Mass Spectrometry.”

[0019] All of the above publications, patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATE OF THE ART

[0020] In recent years, a large number of combinatorial chemistry techniques have been developed which permit vast libraries of diverse chemical compounds to be rapidly synthesized.¹ In combinatorial chemistry, a series of chemical reactions is typically conducted employing a plurality of reagents at each step to generate a library of compounds. Such techniques have the potential to greatly accelerate the discovery of new compounds having biologically useful properties by providing large collections of diverse chemical compounds for biological screening.

[0021] This ability to rapidly generate large collections of compounds using combinatorial chemistry techniques has created a need for new methods of screening compound libraries. The traditional approach of screening each compound individually in an assay to identify those compounds having the desired biological activity is no longer practical due to time and resource constraints. Thus, a need exists for new methods which permit the rapid screening compound libraries.

[0022] In this regard, various methods for screening compound libraries have been reported. Typically, these screening methods involve the use of target receptors which have been labeled with fluorescent or other reporter groups.² In these methods, the compound library, typically bound to a resin bead, is exposed to the labeled target receptor and those members binding to the labeled target receptor are identified and physically separated. The particular ligand binding to the target receptor is then identified. In many of these techniques, elaborate procedures are required to keep track of individual members of the library. For example, coded tags are often added during the synthesis of the combinatorial library to allow the structure of the individual members to be subsequently determined. Alternatively, combinatorial libraries can be prepared in an array and the individual members of the library subsequently identified by their location in the array. While such methods can be effective, the need to keep track of individual members of the library during their synthesis and screening is quite cumbersome and often limits the type of synthetic procedures that can be employed. Additionally, many of these techniques require that the synthetic procedures be conducted on a solid phase, thus further limiting the synthetic procedures and reagents that can be used.

[0023] As an alternative, mass spectrometry is emerging as an important tool for the interrogation of combinatorial libraries. To date, mass spectrometry has been used to assess library quality^(3,4) and, when coupled with molecular recognition technologies, has allowed for some success in the isolation and characterization of active library compounds.⁵⁻¹⁵ Typically, when screening compound libraries for biologically active members, mass spectrometry is used in combination with a “capture and release” methodology. In this methodology, compound mixtures are presented to the target receptor, which is often immobilized on a solid support, and the resulting ligand-receptor complexes are separated from the unbound members of the library. After separation, the ligand-receptor complexes are typically denatured, for example, with a solvent and the solvent mixture containing the previously bound ligands is presented to the mass spectrometer to permit identification of the high affinity ligands.

[0024] For example, ultrafiltration has been used in combination with electrospray mass spectrometry to screen combinatorial libraries.¹⁰⁻¹² In this method, ligands present in a compound library are allowed to bind to a receptor and the resulting ligand-receptor complexes are purified by ultrafiltration. The ligand-receptor complexes are then dissociated using a solvent, such as methanol, and the previously bound ligands are detected by an electrospray mass spectrometer.

[0025] Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) has also been coupled with mass spectrometry to screen combinatorial libraries.⁵ In this procedure, ACE is used to separate ligand-receptor complexes from unbound ligands and mass spectrometry is used to identify the high affinity ligands.

[0026] Similarly, compound libraries have been screened using affinity chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry. For example, WO 97/43301 describes a method for characterizing the members of a combinatorial library, which method utilizes affinity selection in combination with mass spectrometry. Specifically, the members of the library are brought into contact with a domain of interest to allow for binding, i.e., the formation of a complex. After binding, the complex is separated from the unbound members of the library, typically by washing the unbound members from the column containing the complexes. The complexes are then treated to elute the bound library components and the eluted components are analyzed by mass spectrometry. The elution methods described include the use of displacers, chaotrope agents, pH elution, salt gradients, temperature gradients, organic solvents, selective denaturants and detergents. Using such methods, the weakly bound members of the library are purportedly eluted first and analyzed by mass spectrometry, followed by the elution of the more strongly bound members.

[0027] There are several disadvantages associated with the “capture and release” methods for screening compound libraries that have been previously reported. First, the procedure used to “release” the bound ligands from the ligand-receptor complexes may alter the binding profile for the various bound ligands, resulting in a false indication of binding strength. For example, using a pH gradient to release the bound members of the library may change the electronic character of the binding site on the receptor causing ligands which are strongly bound under physiological conditions to be prematurely released. Thus, the characterization of binding strength for various ligands based on their relative time of release may be misleading if the release conditions are different from the binding conditions. Accordingly, these methods may not accurately identify the most active members of a compound library. Additionally, certain conditions used for compound release, such as pH gradients, may irreversibly denature the receptor thus preventing its subsequent use for screening compound libraries.

[0028] Additionally, when “capture and release” methods are employed, each bound ligand is typically released over a relatively short period of time resulting, for example, in an elution peak fir “spike” for each ligand. Accordingly, the effluent produced using such methods is typically monitored continually, for example, by mass spectrometry so that any particular elution peak is not missed. Thus, the number of analyzes that can be conducted using any particular mass spectrometer is limited Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop methods for screening compound libraries that do not rely upon “capture and release” methodologies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0029] This invention is directed to methods for screening compound libraries. The compound libraries may be generated or obtained by any means including, by way of example, combinatorial chemistry techniques or from fermentation broths, plant extracts, cellular extracts and the like. The methods of this invention employ frontal chromatography (FC) in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) to screen the library of compounds to identify and rank those members of the library that bind to a target receptor.

[0030] In frontal chromatography, a target receptor is typically immobilized on a suitable solid support material and packed in a column. A mixture containing putative ligands is then continuously infused through the column. Ligands having an affinity for the target receptor bind to the column, but eventually the capacity of the column for each ligand is exceeded and the ligands elute or “break through” at their infusion concentration. Once a ligand begins eluting from the column, it is continually present in the effluent. Compounds having little or no affinity for the target receptor break through earlier in the effluent compared to ligands having a higher affinity for the receptor.

[0031] In the present invention, mass spectrometry (MS) is employed to continuously or intermittently monitor the FC effluent. Using MS, the identity and break through time for each ligand on the column can be determined. Thus, FC-MS allows the relative affinity of each member of the library for the target receptor to be determined relative to other members of the library under ligand-receptor binding condition Using the present methods, an accurate ranking of the relative affinity of each member of the compound library for the target receptor can be ascertained.

[0032] Accordingly, in one of its method aspects, the present invention is directed to a method for screening a compound library to determine the relative affinity of a plurality of putative ligands to a target receptor, which method comprises:

[0033] (a) providing a compound library comprising a plurality of putative ligands,

[0034] (b) continuously applying the compound library to a column comprising a target receptor optionally bound to a solid phase support under frontal chromatography conditions whereby the target receptor is continuously contacted with the compound library to provide an effluent;

[0035] (c) continuously or intermittently applying the effluent to a mass spectrometer to provide mass spectra of the constituent putative ligands present in the effluent; and

[0036] (d) evaluating the mass spectra to determine a break through time for each of the putative ligands.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the above method further comprises the step of:

[0038] (e) determining an affinity to the target receptor for a putative ligand in the compound library relative to another putative ligand in the compound library by comparing the break through time on the column for the putative ligand relative to the other putative ligand.

[0039] In another preferred embodiment, the above method further comprises the step of:

[0040] (f) determining a dissociation constant, K_(d), for a putative ligand in the compound library and the target receptor.

[0041] Preferably, the compound library employed in the above method comprises less than about 10,000 putative ligands. More preferably, the compound library comprises about 5 to about 100 putative ligands.

[0042] In one embodiment of this invention, the compound library preferably comprises putative ligands selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, lipids, retinoids, steroids, glycopeptides, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, synthetic analogs or derivatives thereof, and the like.

[0043] In another embodiment, the compound library comprises putative ligands selected from the group consisting of synthetic small molecule organic compounds.

[0044] Preferably, the target receptor is selected from the group consisting of proteins, glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, integrins, enzymes, lectins, selecting, cell-adhesion molecules, toxins, bacterial pili, transport proteins, receptors involved in signal transduction or hormone-binding, hormones, antibodies, major histocompatability complexes, immnunoglobulin superfamilies, cadherins, DNA or DNA fragments, RNA and RNA fragments, whole cells, tissues, bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, preons, and synthetic analogs or derivatives thereof.

[0045] Additionally, the target receptor is preferably bound to a solid phase support. More preferably, the target receptor is covalently bound to the solid phase support or bound via biotin-avidin or biotin-streptavidin binding.

[0046] Preferably, the solid phase support used in this invention is selected from the group consisting of resin beads, glass beads, silica chips, silica capillaries and agarose.

[0047] The column employed in the methods of this invention preferably contains from about 1 pmol to about 10 nmol of target receptor active sites.

[0048] In the methods of this invention, the effluent from the column is preferably diluted with a supplemental diluent before analysis by mass spectrometry. Preferably, the supplement diluent comprises a major amount of an organic solvent and a minor amount of an aqueous buffer. The organic solvent is preferably selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, methanol and isopropanol.

[0049] Preferably, the mass spectrometer employed in the methods of this invention is an electrospray mass spectrometer.

[0050] Additionally, since ligands continuously elute under FC conditions once they break though the column, FC-MS does not require constant effluent monitoring. Therefore, a plurality of FC-MS analyzes can be conducted simultaneously using a single mass spectrometer to intermittently monitor each column.

[0051] Accordingly, in another of its method aspects, this invention provides a method for screening a plurality of compound libraries to determine the relative affinity of a plurality of putative ligands in each library to a target receptor, which method comprises:

[0052] (a) providing a plurality of compound libraries, each library comprising a plurality of putative ligands,

[0053] (b) continuously applying each compound library to a separate column comprising a target receptor optionally bound to a solid phase support under frontal chromatography conditions whereby the target receptor is continuously contacted with the compound library to provide an effluent from each column;

[0054] (c) intermittently applying the effluent from each column to a mass spectrometer to provide mass spectra of the constituent putative ligands present in the effluent; and

[0055] (d) evaluating the mass spectra to determine a break through time for each of the putative ligands in each compound library.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the above method further comprises the step of:

[0057] (e) determining an affinity to the target receptor for a putative ligand in each library relative to another putative ligand in the same library by comparing the break through time on the column for the putative ligand relative to the other putative ligand in the same library.

[0058] In another preferred embodiment, the above method further comprises the step of:

[0059] (f) determining a dissociation constant, K_(d), for a putative ligand in a compound library and the target receptor.

[0060] Preferably, from 2 to about 100 columns are used in the methods of this invention which employ a plurality of columns. More preferably, 2 to about 50 columns are employed and still more preferably, 2 to about 10 columns are employed.

[0061] In another embodiment, this invention provides a method for screening a compound library to determine if any member of the library has an affinity for a target receptor higher than a pre-selected indicator compound. Using this embodiment, compound libraries can be rapidly screened to identify those libraries which contain ligands having a pre-deter-mined minimum level of affinity for the target receptor.

[0062] Accordingly, in another of its method aspects, this invention provides a method for screening a compound library to determine the relative affinity of a plurality of putative ligands to a target receptor relative to one or more indicator compounds, which method comprises:

[0063] (a) providing a compound library comprising a plurality of putative ligands,

[0064] (b) continuously applying the compound library to a column comprising a target receptor optionally bound to a solid phase support under frontal chromatography conditions to equilibrate the column with the compound library;

[0065] (c) providing at least one indicator compound having a pre-determined affinity for the target receptor and having a pre-determined break through time on the column in the absence of the compound library;

[0066] (d) continuously applying (i) a mixture comprising the compound library and the indicator compound, or (ii) the indicator compound, to the column under frontal chromatography conditions to provide an effluent;

[0067] (e) analyzing the effluent by mass spectrometry to determine a break through time for the indicator compound.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the above method further comprises the step of:

[0069] (f) determining whether any putative ligands of the compound library have an affinity for the target receptor greater than the indicator compound by comparing the break through time for the indicator compound from step (e) with the pre-determined break through time for the indicator compound in the absence of the compound library.

[0070] Preferably, when an indicator compound is used, the compound library comprises less than about 50,000 putative ligands. More preferably, the compound library comprises about 5 to about 100 putative ligands.

[0071] Preferably, the indicator compound employed in the methods of this invention has a pre-determined break through time in the absence of the compound library of less than about 5 minutes.

[0072] A plurality of columns may also be employed when an indicator compound is used. Accordingly, in still another of its method aspects, the present invention provides a method for screening a plurality of compound libraries to determine the relative affinity of a plurality of putative ligands to a target receptor relative to one or more indicator compounds, which method comprises:

[0073] (a) providing a plurality of compound libraries comprising a plurality of putative ligands,

[0074] (b) continuously applying each compound library to a separate column comprising a target receptor optionally bound to a solid phase support under frontal chromatography conditions to equilibrate the column with the compound library;

[0075] (c) providing at least one indicator compound having a pre-determined affinity for the target receptor and having a pre-determined break through time on each column in the absence of the compound library;

[0076] (d) continuously applying (i) a mixture comprising the compound library and the indicator compound, or (ii) the indicator compound, to each column under frontal chromatography conditions to provide an effluent,

[0077] (e) analyzing the effluent from each column by mass spectrometry to determine a break through time for the indicator compound.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the above method further comprises the step of:

[0079] (f) determining whether any putative ligands of a compound library have an affinity for the target receptor greater than the indicator compound by comparing the break through time for the indicator compound from step (e) with the pre-determined break through time for the indicator compound in the absence of the compound library.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080]FIG. 1 illustrates a representative apparatus for screening compound libraries using frontal chromatography in combination with a mass spectrometer.

[0081]FIG. 2 illustrates a representative apparatus for screening compound libraries using a plurality of frontal chromatography columns in combination with a mass spectrometer.

[0082]FIG. 3 illustrates another representative apparatus for screening compound libraries using a plurality of frontal chromatography columns in combination with a mass spectrometer.

[0083]FIG. 4 illustrates a representative apparatus for sequentially screening compound libraries with an indicator compound using a plurality of frontal chromatography columns in combination with a mass spectrometer.

[0084]FIG. 5A shows a total ion chromatogram (TIC) from a FC-MS run using six representative oligosaccharides having varying affinity for a carbohydrate-binding antibody that recognizes the 3,6-dideoxy-D-galactose (abequose) epitope in Salmonella paratyphi B O-antigens.

[0085]FIG. 5B shows selected ion chromatograms for the six oligosaccharides reconstructed from the TIC shown in FIG. 5A.

[0086]FIGS. 5C, 5D and 5E show mass spectra generated from time-slices of the TIC shown in FIG. 5A.

[0087]FIG. 6 shows a plot of ([A]₀(V−V₀))⁻¹ versus [A]₀ ⁻¹ for αGal(1-2)[αAbe(1→3)]αMan-OCH₃.

[0088]FIG. 7A shows a selected ion chromatogram from a FC-MS run using an indicator compound in the absence of a compound library.

[0089]FIG. 7B shows a selected ion chromatogram from a FC-MS run using an indicator compound in the presence of a compound library.

[0090]FIG. 8 shows a selected ion chromatogram from a FC-MS run using four representative oligosaccharides having varying affinity for cholera toxin B subunit.

[0091]FIG. 9 shows a selected ion chromatogram from a FC-MS run using a synthetically prepared GM₁ analog.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0092] The present invention provides methods for screening compound libraries using frontal chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry. When describing the methods of this invention, the following terms have the following meanings, unless otherwise indicated. All terms not defined herein have their conventional art-recognized meaning.

[0093] Definitions

[0094] The term “break through time” refers to the period of time between elution of the void volume and the front corresponding to the elution of a particular compound during frontal chromatography.

[0095] The term “compound library” refers to a mixture or collection of one or more putative ligands generated or obtained in any manner. Preferably, the library contains more than one putative ligand or member.

[0096] The term “electrospray” refers to the generation of gas-phase ions from a flowing solution. Electrospray is typically performed at atmospheric pressure in an electric field with or without assisted nebulization and solvent evaporation.

[0097] The term “effluent” refers to the solvent or solution emerging or exiting from the frontal chromatography column.

[0098] The term “frontal chromatography conditions” refers to chromatography conditions in which a solution of putative ligands is applied or infused continuously at constant concentration through a column containing a target receptor such that the target receptor is continuously contacted with the putative ligands during the chromatography.

[0099] The term “indicator compound” refers to a compound having a known affinity or specificity for the target receptor and a measurable break through time under frontal chromatography conditions.

[0100] The term “ligand” refers to a molecule or group of molecules that bind to one or more specific sites of a receptor. Representative ligands include, by way of illustration, carbohydrates, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, including DNA and DNA fragments, RNA and RNA fragments and the like, lipids, retinoids, steroids, glycopeptides, glycoproteins, proteoglycans and the like, and synthetic analogues or derivatives thereof, including peptidomimetics, small molecule organic compounds and the like, and mixtures thereof. The term “putative ligand” refers to a ligand whose affinity or specificity for a target receptor, if any, has not been determined.

[0101] The term “microcolumn” refers to a column having an internal diameter less than or equal to about 1 mm.

[0102] The term “selected ion chromatogram” refers to a plot of ion abundance vs. time constructed from the intensity of a single ion. A selected ion chromatogram can be prepared from a scan or selected ion monitoring mode.

[0103] The term “selected ion monitoring” refers to the detection of a few pre-selected ions using a mass spectrometer (e.g. quadrupoles).

[0104] The term “solid support” or “solid phase support” refers to an inert material or molecule to which a target receptor may be bound or coupled, either directly or through a linking arm.

[0105] The term “synthetic small molecule organic compounds” refers to organic compounds generally having a molecular weight less than about 1000, preferably less than about 500, which are prepared by synthetic organic techniques, such as by combinatorial chemistry techniques.

[0106] The term “supplemental diluent” or “make-up flow” refers to a solution or solvent which is combined with the effluent from a column before the effluent passes into an electrospray mass spectrometer.

[0107] The term “target receptor” or “receptor” refers to a molecule or a group of molecules capable of binding a ligand at a specific site. Representative examples of target receptors include, by way of example, proteins, glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, integrins, enzymes, lectins, selecting, cell-adhesion molecules, toxins, bacterial pili, transport proteins, receptors involved in signal transduction or hormone-binding, hormones, antibodies, major histocompatability complexes (MHCs), immunoglobulin superfamilies, cadherins, DNA or DNA fragments, RNA and RNA fragments, whole cells, tissues, bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, preons and the like; or synthetic analogs or derivatives of any of the above.

[0108] The term “target receptor active site” refers to the binding site of interest on a particular target receptor.

[0109] The term “total ion chromatogram” refers to a plot of ion abundance vs. time constructed from a summation of all ion intensities in a scan. In a total ion chromatogram, the number of scans are linearly related to time.

[0110] The term “void volume” or “V₀” refers to the volume of solution which passes through a frontal chromatography column from the point of infusion to the point of dectection. Putative ligands having no affinity for the target receptor typically elute from column at the void volume.

[0111] The compound libraries employed in this invention may be prepared or obtained by any means including, but not limited to, combinatorial chemistry techniques, fermentation methods, plant and cellular extraction procedures and the like. Methods for making combinatorial libraries are well-known in the art. See, for example, E. R. Felder, Chimia 1994, 48, 512-541; Gallop et al., J. Med. Chem. 1994, 37, 1233-1251; R. A. Houghten, Trends Genet. 1993, 9, 23 5-239; Houghten et al., Nature 1991, 354, 84-86; Lam et al., Nature 1991, 354, 82-84; Carell et al., Chem. Biol. 1995, 3, 171-183; Madden et al., Perspectives in Drug Discovery and Design 2, 269-282; Cwirla et al., Biochemistry 1990, 87, 6378-6382; Brenner et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1992, 89, 5381-5383; Gordon et al., J. Med. Chem. 1994, 37, 1385-1401; Lebl et al., Biopolymers 1995, 37 177-198; and references cited therein. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0112] Any type of molecule that is capable of binding to a target receptor may be present in the compound library. For example, compound libraries screened using this invention may contain naturally-occurring molecules, such as carbohydrates, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, including DNA and DNA fragments, RNA and RNA fragments and the like, lipids, retinoids, steroids, glycopeptides, glycoproteins, proteoglycans and the like; or analogs or derivatives of naturally-occurring molecules, such peptidomimetics and the like; and non-naturally occurring molecules, such as “small molecule” organic compounds generated, for example, using combinatorial chemistry techniques; and mixtures thereof. The term “small molecule organic compound” refers to organic compounds generally having a molecular weight less than about 1000, preferably less than about 500.

[0113] A particular advantage of the present method is that compound libraries containing racemic mixtures may be screened to determine, for example, if only one isomer (e.g. an enantiomer or diastereomer) is binding to the target receptor, or if the isomers have different affinities for the target receptor. In this regard, if the isomers have different affinities for the target receptor, a different break through time will be observed for each isomer.

[0114] The compound libraries employed in this invention will typically contain a plurality of members or putative ligands. When a indicator compound is employed, the compound library will preferably contain less than about 50,000 members, more preferably, the compound library will contain less than about 10,000 members. When an indicator compound is not employed, the compound library will preferably contain less than about 10,000 members; more preferably, from 1 to about 1,000 members; and still more preferably, from about 5 to about 100 members.

[0115] The present method is useful for analyzing the affinity of members of a compound library for any target receptor or domain which binds or complexes with a ligand. For example, the target receptor may be selected from, but is not limited to, proteins, glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, integrins, enzymes, lectins, selectins, cell-adhesion molecules, toxins, bacterial pili, transport proteins, receptors involved in signal transduction or hormone-binding, hormones, antibodies, major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs), immunoglobulin superfamilies, cadherins, DNA or DNA fragments, RNA and RNA fragments, whole cells, tissues, bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, preons and the like; or synthetic analogues or derivatives of any of the above.

[0116] When employing the methods of this invention, the target receptor is optionally bound or coupled to a solid support. Preferably, the target receptor is covalently bound or coupled to the solid support. However, in some cases, such as when whole cells or organisms are employed as the target receptor, the cells or organisms may be contained within the column by using, for example, a porous frit at the outflow end of the column. Supports for receptors are well-known in the art and many are commercially available. Any such conventional support may be used in this invention. Representative supports include, by way of illustration, resin beads, glass beads, silica chips and capillaries, agarose, and the like. When silica capillaries are used as the solid support, the target receptor is bound directly to the walls of the column. Preferred solid supports for use in this invention include porous resin beads. A particularly preferred solid support is porous polystyrene-divinylbenzene polymer beads, such as POROS beads (available from Perseptive Biosystems, Framingham, Mass.).

[0117] The target receptor can be bound or coupled to the support using any art-recognized procedure. For example, the target receptor can be bound using direct immobilization techniques (i.e., covalent binding via a sulfhydryl, amino or carboxyl group and the like), covalent binding through a linking or spacer arm, biotin-avidin binding, biotin-streptavidin binding, antibody binding, GST-glutathione binding, ion exchange absorption, hydrophobic interaction, expression of the target receptor as a recombinant protein fused to maltose binding protein, fusion of the target receptor with a peptide which binds selectively to an affinity column, and the like. Such methods are well-known in the art and kits for practicing many of these methods are commercially available. See, for example, Stammers et al., FEBS Lett. 1991, 283, 298-302; Herman et al., Anal. Biochemistry 1986, 156, 48; Smith et al., FEBS Lett. 1987, 215, 305; Kilmartin et al., J.Cell. Biol. 1982, 93, 576-582; Skinner et al., J. Biol. Chem. 1991, 266, 14163-14166; Hopp et al., Bio/Technology 1988, 6, 1204-1210; H. M. Sassenfeld, TIBTECH 1990, 8, 88-93; Hanke et al., J. General Virology 1992, 73, 654-660; Ellison et al., J. Biol. Chem. 1991, 267, 21150-21157; U. K. Pati, Gene 1992, 114, 285-288; Wadzinski et al., J. Biol Chem. 1992, 267, 16883-16888; Field et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 1988, 8, 2159-2165; Gerard et al., Biochemistry 1990, 29, 9274-9281; Ausselbergs et al., Fibrinolysis 1993, 7, 1-13; Hopp et al., Biotechnology 1988, 6, 1205-1210; Blanar et al., Science 1992, 256, 1014-1018; Lin et al., J. Org. Chem. 1991, 56, 6850-6856; Zastrow et al., J. Biol. Chem. 1992, 267, 3530-3538; Goldstein et al., EMBO Jml. 1992, 11, 0000-0000; Lim et al., J. Infectious Disease 1990, 162, 1263-1269; Goldstein et al., Virology 1992, 190, 889-893; and the articles in IBI FLAG Epitope Vol. 1: No. 1, September 1992; and references cited therein. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0118] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the target receptor is bound or coupled to the solid support using biotin-avidin, biotin-streptavidin or a related-type binding. In this procedure, the target receptor is typically biotinylated with a biotin reagent containing a spacer arm. The biotinylated target receptor is then contacted with an avidin-containing solid support. The resulting biotin-avidin complex binds the target receptor to the solid support.

[0119] Procedures for biotinylating biomolecules are well-known in the art and various biotin reagents are commercially available. See, for example, E. A. Bayer et al., Meth. Enzymol. 1990, 184, 51; U. Bickel et al., Bioconj. Chem. 1995, 6, 211; H. Hagiwara et al., J. Chromatog. 1992, 597, 331; “Avidin-Biotin Chemistry Handbook” (available from Pierce, Rockford, Ill., Catalog Item No. 15055) and references cited therein. A preferred biotin reagent is NHS-LC-biotin (available from Pierce). The extent of biotin incorporation using such reagents can be monitored by, for example, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization as described in D. C. Schriemer and L. Li, Anal. Chem. 1996, 68, 3382-3387, or by other art-recognized methods as described in the “Avidin-Biotin Chemistry Handbook” (Pierce). Preferably, an average of about 1 to about 50 biotins are incorporated per target receptor, more preferably about 1 to about 10 biotins per target receptor.

[0120] The biotinylated target receptor is typically coupled with an avidin- or streptavidin-containing solid support or related material. Such supports are commercially available or can be prepared by art-recognized procedures. Preferred avidin-containing supports include Ultralink-immobilized avidin (available from Pierce) and POROS 20 immobilized streptavidin (available from Perseptive Biosystems). The biotinylated target receptor is typically coupled with the avidin-containing support by contacting the receptor with the support in a suitable buffer, such as phosphate buffered saline (pH 7), for about 0.5 to 4 hours at a temperature ranging from about 4° C. to about 37° C. Preferably, after coupling the biotinylated target receptor to the avidin-containing support, any remaining avidin binding sites on the support are blocked by contacting the solid support with an excess of free biotin.

[0121] The target receptor may be bound or coupled to the solid support either prior to or after introducing the solid support material into a column. For example, the biotinylated target receptor may be contacted or incubated with the avidin- or streptavidin-containing solid support and the resulting solid support containing the target receptor subsequently introduced into a column. Alternatively, the avidin- or streptavidin-containing solid support can be first introduced into the column and the biotinylated target receptor then cycled through the column to form the solid support containing the target receptor in the column. Either of these methods may also be used with any of the other previously mentioned procedures for coupling the target receptor to the solid support.

[0122] The solid support material may be introduced into the column using any conventional procedure. Typically, the solid support is slurried in a suitable diluent and the resulting slurry is pressure packed or pumped into the column. Suitable diluents include, by way of example, buffers such as phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solutions, preferably containing a preservative such as sodium azide, and the like.

[0123] Generally, the activity of the target receptor will determine the size of the column employed in this invention, i.e., a smaller column volume may be employed when the target receptor has more activity per unit column volume. Typically, the column employed in this invention will have an internal diameter (i.d.) ranging from about 10 μm to about 4.6 mm. Preferably, the internal diameter of the column will be in the range of from about 100 μm to about 250 μm. The column will typically range in length from about 1 cm to about 30 cm, preferably from about 2 cm to about 20 cm. Preferably, the column will have from about 1 pmol to about 10 nmol of target receptor active sites per column; more preferably, from about 10 pmol to about 250 pmol of target receptor active sites per column.

[0124] If an indicator compound is employed, the length of the column and its i.d. will also depend upon the K_(d) of the indicator compound (i.e., a smaller column may be used when the indicator has a higher affinity for the target receptor). Preferably, when an indicator is employed, the column length and i.d. are selected so that the indicator compound elutes a measurable quantity after the void volume.

[0125] The body of the column employed in this invention may be comprised of any conventional column body material including, by way of illustration, poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), fused silica, silicon microchips, stainless steel, nylon, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) and the like. Preferably, the column body is comprised of poly(ether ether ketone).

[0126] After the solid support containing the target receptor is introduced or formed in the column, the column is typically flushed with a suitable diluent to remove any unbound target receptor or impurities. Suitable diluents for flushing the column include, for example, phosphate buffered saline, TRIS buffers and the like. If desired, a detergent may also be included in the buffer to facilitate removal of unbound target receptor or impurities.

[0127] After the column is flushed, the column is typically equilibrated with a buffer suitable for frontal chromatography and compatible with mass spectrometry. Volatile buffers are generally preferred for use with mass spectrometry. For frontal chromatography, a buffer is typically selected to promote receptor-ligand interaction. Suitable buffers for use in FC-MS include, by way of example, ammonium acetate, ammonium formate and the like.

[0128] Following equilibration of the column, the compound library is then continuously applied to the column under frontal chromatography conditions. Typically, when applied to the column, the compound library comprises a solution of the library members or putative ligands in a suitable diluent. Typically, the diluent is the buffer solution used to equilibrate the column. Generally, the concentration of the library members in the diluent will range from about 0.01 μM to about 50 μM. Preferably, the concentration of library members ranges from about 0.1 μM to about 10 μM.

[0129] Procedures for conducting frontal chromatography are well-known in the art. See, for example, K.-I. Kasai et al., Journal of Chromatography 1986, 376, 33-47; D. S. Hage et al., Journal of Chromatography B, 1997, 669, 449-525 and references cited therein. The disclosures of these references are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Typically, the compound library is continuously applied or infused into the column containing the target receptor. Under these conditions, the target receptor is continuously contacted or challenged with each of the members of the compound library. The column is driven to dynamic equilibrium by continuously applying the compound library to the column. Library members having different binding constants to the target receptor display different break through times or hold-up volumes on the column, i.e., those members having a higher affinity for the target ligand have a longer break through time on the column or a larger hold-up volume until they begin to elute from or break-though the column at their initial infusion concentration. Unlike zonal chromatographic methods, no physical separation of the library members is achieved using frontal chromatography.

[0130] During the frontal chromatography, the column is typically at a temperature in range from about 0° C. to about 90° C.; preferably from about 4° C. to about 60° C.; more preferably from about 20° C. to about 40° C.

[0131] When a ligand has a very high affinity for the target receptor, it may be desirable to pre-equilibrate the column with the compound library before conducting the FC-MS analysis. The column can be pre-equilibrated by either by infusing the compound library through the column for a period sufficient to allow the column to reach equilibrium, i.e., for about 0.25 to 24 hours, or by infusing the compound library into the column, stopping the flow, and allowing the system to come to equilibrium for a period of up to one day before conducting the analysis. If desired, a sequence of stop-flow cycles may also be conducted.

[0132] In the methods of this invention, a mass spectrometer is coupled to the column to analyze the effluent. Mass spectrometry is particularly useful in the present invention since it allows for both detection and identification of the library members present in the effluent. In this regard, mass spectrometry allows the eluting members of the library to be identified based on their mass/charge ratio.

[0133] Prior to analyzing the effluent from the column by mass spectrometry, the effluent is optionally diluted with a supplemental diluent or “make-up flow” and the combined flow is directed into, for example, the electrospray mass spectrometer. Typically, the supplemental diluent comprises a major amount of an organic solvent and a minor amount of an aqueous buffer. The organic solvent is selected so as to promote a stable and efficient electrospray. Representative organic solvents suitable for use in the supplemental diluent include, by way of example, acetonitrile, methanol, isopropanol and the like. A preferred organic solvent is acetonitrile. Typically, the amount of supplemental diluent employed is adjusted so that the combined flow rate of the effluent and the supplemental diluent is less than about 100 μL/min. Preferably, the combined flow rate entering the mass spectrometer ranges from about 100 μL/min to about 20 μL/min.

[0134] Methods for analyzing effluents using mass spectrometry are well-known in the art. Any type of mass spectrometry which is capable of directly or indirectly analyzing the components present in a solution may be employed in this invention including, for example, electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS), continuous flow fast atom bombardment (cf-FAB), thermospray techniques, particle beam, moving belt interfaces and the like. Electrospray mass spectrometry is particularly preferred. Apparatus and techniques for conducting electrospray mass spectrometric analysis are described, for example, in S. J. Gaskell, “Electrospray: Principles and Practice”, J. Mass. Spectrom. 1997, 32, 677-688 and reference cited therein. The mass spectrometer may be of any type (i.e., scanning or dynamic) including, by way of illustration, quadrupole, time of flight, ion trap, FTICR and the like.

[0135] Typically, the mass spectrometer parameters are set to provide the highest sensitivity for the eluting compounds. Generally, when an electrospray mass spectrometer is employed, such adjustments will involve optimization of, for example, nebulizer pressure, drying gas flow rate, ion transmission and electrospray needle position. For example, the nebulizer pressure will typically range from about 0 psi to about 60 psi; and the drying gas flow rate will range from about 0 L/min to about 50 L/min. A total ion chromatogram is typically measured and monitored in real-time. The size of the column, the concentration of the compound library and the flow rate will generally determine the run-time. Typical run times range from about 1 min to about 60 min.

[0136] Upon completion of the frontal chromatography, the column is typically regenerated by washing with a large volume of the binding buffer, with or without a competitive ligand. In this regard, a particular advantage of the present method is that denaturing of the target receptor is not required at any point in the procedure. Accordingly, columns may be re-used many times generally with no observable loss of activity or leaching of the target receptor.

[0137] Suitable apparatus for conducting frontal chromatography are described in U.S. patent application No. __/______,______ , filed on even date herewith as Attorney Docket No. 026579-175, entitled “Apparatus for Screening Compound Libraries,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. A representative apparatus for conducting the screening methods of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a first reservoir 1, containing a buffer solution, and a second reservoir 2, containing a solution of a compound library in a buffer, are connected via tubing 3 to valve 4. In FIG. 1, reservoirs 1 and 2 are syringes although any similar reservoir may be employed. Valve 4 allows the solutions from reservoirs 1 or 2 to be directed into a waste container 5 or into the inflow end of column 6. Column 6 contains the target receptor bound to a solid phase support, the column wall or otherwise retained within the column. The outflow end of column 6 is connected to a mixing tee 7, which is also connected to reservoir 8, containing a supplemental diluent, via tubing 9. The effluent from column 6 is mixed with the supplemental diluent from reservoir 8 in mixing tee 7 and the outflow is directed via tubing 10 to an electrospray mass spectrometer 11. To control the flow from reservoirs 1, 2 and 8, pressure is applied to plungers 12 via, for example, a pump.

[0138] In another of its embodiments, this invention provides a method for screening a compound library to determine if any member of the library has an affinity for a target receptor that interferes with the binding of a pre-selected indicator compound or a mixture of indicator compounds. In this embodiment, the break through time of an indicator compound having a known affinity for the target receptor is determined after the column has been equilibrated with the compound library and compared to the break through time for the indicator compound in the absence of the compound library. If the indicator compound has a shorter break through time after equilibration with the compound library, the compound library contains one or more ligands having an overall affinity for the target ligand which is higher than the indicator compound. Since an indicator compound can be selected having a relatively short break through time on the column, a significant advantage of this embodiment is that compound libraries can be rapidly screened, e.g., in less than 5 minutes, to identify those libraries having a pre-determined minimum level of affinity for the target receptor. When a library is identified as having the pre-determined minimum level of affinity for the target receptor, the library can be further analyzed using FC-MS to identify the ligands binding to the target receptor.

[0139] One advantage of using a indicator compound is that the screening time for each library is significantly reduced since only the indicator compound needs to be monitored. Additionally, since the indicator compound binds to the target receptor at the active site of interest, a change in the break through time for the indicator is only observed when a member of the library binds to the same active site as the indicator compound. Accordingly, non-specific binding of the library to the target receptor does not provide false leads.

[0140] The indicator compound used in this embodiment of the invention is typically selected so as to have a relatively weak affinity for the target receptor. This permits the indicator compound to rapidly elute or break through the column, thus shortening the period of time necessary to monitor the effluent. An indicator compound having a break through time on the column less than about 5 minutes in the absence of the compound library is preferred. Alternatively, an indicator having a strong affinity for the target receptor may be used thereby allowing smaller columns to be employed. When an indicator compound having a strong affinity is used, the compound library will typically be applied to the column at a higher concentration. The break through time for the indicator compound on the column in the absence of the compound library is determined using the FC-MS procedures described herein. The affinity of the indicator compound for the target receptor can be determined using conventional techniques, such as microcalorimetry and the like; or by using the FC-MS methods of this invention. Preferably, the indicator compound will also have a unique mass in comparison to the members of the compound library so that the indicator compound can be unambiguously identified by mass spectrometry. Generally, when using an indicator compound and a quadrupole mass spectrometer, only the mass of the indicator compound is monitored to provide for better sensitivity.

[0141] Representative examples of indicator compounds suitable for use with specific target receptors include, by way of illustration, αAbe(1-3)αTal-OCH₃ (K_(d)=0.2 mM) for use with a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the 3,6-dideoxy-D-galactose (abequose) epitope in Salmonella paratyphi B O-antigens; phytic acid (K_(d)=1 μM) for use with L-selectin, and the like. Additionally, more than one indicator compound may be employed. The indicator may also be coupled or conjugated to another molecule or contain an atom or isotope which facilitates its detection. For example, the indicator compound can be conjugated to polyethylene glycols (PEGs) so that the mass spectra would contain peaks differing by 44 units thereby facilitating detection of the of indicator compound.

[0142] When using an indicator compound, the break through time for the indicator compound is first determined by applying the indicator compound to the column containing the target receptor under frontal chromatography conditions. The column is then typically equilibrated with the compound library to be screened. Generally, the compound library is applied or infused into the column for a time sufficient to allow all of the library members to break through the column. In some cases, such as when very strong binding ligands are present, not all members of the library will achieve equilibrium. The effluent during this period may be presented to the mass spectrometer for analysis or may be collected for recycling or disposal. Once the column has been equilibrated (or partially equilibrated) with the compound library, a mixture comprising the compound library and the indicator compound is applied to or infused into Lie column using the frontal chromatography procedures described herein. Preferably, the indicator compound will be present in the mixture in an amount ranging from about 1 nM to about 10 μM, more preferably from about 10 nM to about 100 nM. The effluent from the column is analyzed to determine the break through time for the indicator compound on the compound library-equilibrated column and this time period is compared to the pre-determined break through time for the indicator compound to ascertain whether the compound library has a higher affinity for the target receptor relative to the indicator compound.

[0143] Alternatively, the indicator compound alone can be applied or infused into the column after equilibration of the column with the compound library. This technique would allow very strongly bound ligands or those with slow off rates to be detected.

[0144] In addition to detecting the indicator compound using mass spectrometry, it is also contemplated that other methods of detection may be employed. For example, an indicator compound can be detected in the effluent from the column using, by way of example, fluorescence, infra-red absorption, UV-visible absorption, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), atomic spectroscopy (i.e., AAS, ICP-OES, etc.), flow cytometry and the like.

[0145] The methods of this invention allow a plurality of FC-MS analyses to be conducted simultaneously using a single mass spectrometer to intermittently monitor each column. Unlike “capture and release” methods which typically provide an elution peak or “spike” for each ligand, FC-MS does not require constant effluent monitoring because once a library member breaks through the column, that member is continuously present in the effluent and can be detected by the mass spectrometer. Therefore, a plurality of FC-MS analyses can be conducted simultaneously using a single mass spectrometer to intermittently monitor each column. For example, using the methods of this invention, at least about 100 columns can be conducted simultaneously.

[0146] When employing multiple columns, each column is typically monitored for a brief period of time before switching to the next column. For example, with a quadrupole mass spectrometer, each column is typically monitored sequentially for a period of about 0.5 seconds to about 10 seconds, preferably for about 1 second to about 5 seconds, before switching to the next column. The effluent from each column is analyzed as described herein using mass spectrometry. Generally, a single running file is used to collect all of the data from the multiple column thereby generating a composite total ion chromatogram. Subsequently, separate total ion chromatograms for each column are recreated by synchronizing column switching with mass spectrometry data acquisition.

[0147] In a preferred embodiment, each column will have an individual electrospray needle for injection of the column's effluent into the electrospray mass spectrometer. Any geometric arrangement of multiple electrospray needles that allows for fast and repetitive sequences of needle advancement may be employed. A suitable apparatus for the injection of multiple effluents into an electrospray mass spectrometer is described in U.S. patent application No.______ , filed on even date herewith, as Attorney Docket No. 026579-176 and entitled “Device for Delivery of Multiple Liquid Sample Streams to a Mass Spectrometer,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Alternatively, a linear moving row of electrospray needles (sprayers) and the like may be employed. See, for example, Q. Xue et al., Anal. Chem. 1997, 69, 426-430 and references cited therein, the disclosed of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0148] A representative apparatus for screening compound libraries using a plurality of columns is illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, each of a plurality of columns 13 is connected via tubing 14 and mixing tee 15 to a first reservoir 16, containing a solution of a compound library in a binding buffer, and a second reservoir 17, containing the binding buffer. In FIG. 2, reservoirs 16 and 17 are syringes although any similar reservoir may be employed. Each column 13 contains a target receptor bound to a solid phase support. The buffer solution in reservoir 17 is used to wash column 13 before or after introduction of the compound library. The outflow end of each column 13 is connected to a mixing tee 18, which is also connected to reservoir 19, containing a supplemental diluent, via tubing 20. The effluent from each column 13 is mixed with the supplemental diluent from reservoir 19 in mixing tees 18 and the outflow is directed via tubing 20 and valves 21 into an electrospray mass spectrometer 22, via an electronically-actuated multi-port selection valve 23, or into waste/recovery containers 24. To control the flow from reservoirs 16, 17 and 19, pressure is applied to plungers 25 via, for example, pumps.

[0149] Alternatively, in another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the outflow from mixing tees 18 may be directed via tubing 20 into individual electrospray needles 26 for mass spectrometer analysis.

[0150] When using a plurality of columns to evaluate compound libraries using a indicator compound, each column may be run sequentially, if desired, since the run time for each of the columns is relatively short, i.e., typically about 3 minutes per column. When using an indicator compound, sequential runs of multiple columns may be advantageous since this allows the retention time for the indicator compound to be more accurately determined.

[0151] A representative apparatus for sequentially screening compound libraries with a indicator compound using a plurality of columns is illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of reservoirs 27 (e.g., syringes) are held in place with clamp 38. Each reservoir 27 contains a mixture of a compound library and an indicator compound in a suitable diluent (or, alternatively, simply the indicator). The end of each reservoir 27 is connected via tubing 29 to the inflow end of a column 30 containing the target receptor bound to a solid phase support. The outflow end of each column 30 is connected via tubing 31 to an electronically-actuated multiport stream selection valve 32 which controls the flow of the effluent from columns 30. Using valve 32, the effluent from the columns may be directed into a waste container 33, via tubing 34, or into mixing tee 35, via tubing 36. Mixing tee 35 is also connected to reservoir 36, containing a supplemental diluent, via tubing 37. The effluent from each column 30 is mixed with the supplemental diluent from reservoir 36 in mixing tee 35 and the outflow is directed via tubing 38 into an electrospray mass spectrometer 39. To control the flow from the reservoirs 27 into columns 30, a stand-off block 40 may be employed. When pressure is applied to stand-off block 40 via, for example, a pump, the plunger 41 of each reservoir 27 is individually depressed in sequence thereby infusing the contents of the reservoir through tubing 29 into the corresponding column 30. The effluent emerging from each column 30 is sequentially directed into mass spectrometer 39 for analysis.

[0152] The methods of this invention also permit the absolute affinity or dissociation constant, K_(d), for certain individual members of a compound library to be readily determined. In this regard, ligands having an affinity for the target receptor break through the column at volumes (i.e., break through times) related to their concentrations and K_(d) values, according to the following equation: ${V_{\tau} - V_{0}} = \frac{B_{t}}{\lbrack X\rbrack_{0} + \left( K_{d} \right)_{x}}$

[0153] where B_(t) represents the dynamic binding capacity of the column; [X]₀ is the infusion concentration of the ligand in the compound library; K_(d) is the dissociation constant for the ligand; V₀ is the void volume; and V_(x) represents the volume at the mid-point of the front corresponding to the break through of the ligand. This simple equation indicates that, once B_(t) and the concentration of the ligand are known, the dissociation constant of a ligand can be determined from a single measurement of its V_(x)−V₀.

[0154] In order to determine B_(t), a representative compound, e.g., compound X, is infused through the column at various concentrations and the corresponding V_(x)−V₀ values measured. A plot of ([X]( V−V₀))⁻¹ versus [X]⁻¹ is generated, where the y-intercept indicates the dynamic binding capacity of the column (B_(t)) (analogous to a Lineweaver-Burk plot).

[0155] Once the dynamic binding capacity of the column has been determined, the dissociation constants for individual members of the compound library can be determined from a single FC-MS run. For example, the K_(d) for compounds where [X]<<(K_(d))_(x) is determined simply from B_(t)/(V−V₀). For those members of the library with a low dissociation constant, knowledge of their concentration or infusion of the compound library at higher dilution is required to determine K_(d).

[0156] The following examples are offered to illustrate this invention and are not to be construed in any way as limiting the scope of this invention. Unless otherwise stated, all temperatures are in degrees Celsius.

EXAMPLES

[0157] In the examples below, the following abbreviations have the following meanings. If an abbreviation is not defined, it has its generally accepted meaning. B_(t) = dynamic binding capacity ° C. = degrees Celsius cm = centimeter eq. = equivalents FAB = fast atom bombardment FC = frontal chromatography g = grams K_(d) = dissociation constant L = liter MALDI = matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization meq. = milliequivalent mg = milligram mL = milliliter mM = millimolar mmol = millimole MS = mass spectrometry m/z = mass charge ratio N = normal PBS = phosphate buffered saline PEEK = poly(ether ether ketone) pmol = picomole TIC = total ion chromatogram μg = micrograms μL = microliter μm = micrometer μM = micromolar V₀ = void volume

Example 1 Screening of an Oligosaccharide Library Using FC-MS

[0158] In this example, a compound library containing a mixture of six oligosaccharides was screened using frontal chromatography in combination with an electrospray mass spectrometer to determine the relative affinity of the oligosaccharides for a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the 3,6-dideoxy-D-galactose (abequose) epitope in Salmonella paratyphi B O-antigens.

[0159] The compound library consisted of the following six oligosaccharides: αGalNAc(1→3)βGal-OGr (compound 1); αGal(1→3)[αFuc(1-2)]βGal-OGr (compound 2); αMan(1→3)[αMan(1→6)]βMan-OGr (compound 3); αAbe(1→3)αTal-OCH₃ (compound 4); αGal(1→2)[αAbe(1→3)]αMan-OCH₃ (compound 5); and αGlc(1→4)βGlc(1→4)αGal(1→2)-[αAbe(1→3)]αMan(1→3)αGlc(1→4)βGlc-OCH₃ (compound 6), wherein Gr=O(CH₂)₈CO₂CH₃. Compound 1-3 were obtained using the procedures described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,720 to R. U. Lemieux et al., issued Dec. 7, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,401 to R. U. Lemieux et al, issued Jan. 30, 1979; and K. J. Kaur et al., “Use of N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases I and II in the Preparative Synthesis of Oligosaccharides”, Carbohydr. Res. 1991, 210, 145-153; respectively, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Compounds 4-6 were obtained using the procedures described in D. R. Bundle et al., “Modulation of Antibody Affinity b/Synthetic Modifications of the Most Exposed Pyranose Residue of A Trisaccharide Epitope”, Bioorg. Med. Chem. 1994, 2, 1221-1229, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Compounds 1-3 are known to have no specificity for the antibody. On the other hand, compounds 4-6 contain the minimal requirement for recognition (abequose) and span a range of affinity for the antibody. The K_(d) values for compounds 4-6, as determined by titration microcalorimetry, are shown in Table 1 below.

[0160] The monoclonal antibody used in this experiment was produced as described in D. R. Bundle et al, “Molecular Recognition of a Salmonella Trisaccharide Epitope by Monoclonal Antibody Se155.4” Biochem. 1994, 33, 5172-5182. The antibody (0.5 mg) was biotinylated with a biotin reagent containing a long-chain spacer arm (NHS-LC-biotin, Pierce). The extent of biotin incorporation was monitored by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and the reaction was terminated at 14 biotins/IgG (average). The biotinylated antibody was then coupled to a beaded support by incubating the antibody with 25 μL of Ultralink immobilized avidin (Pierce, Cat. No. 53119) in bicarbonate buffer (pH 8.5) for 1 hour. The beads were then thoroughly washed with the bicarbonate buffer. A UV quantitation indicated an immobilization of ˜45 μg antibody/25 μL beads was achieved. The beads were then slurry-packed into a 500 μm i.d. by 11.5 cm poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) column body (˜23 μL column volume).

[0161] In this experiment, a mixing tee served a dual role as a column end-fitting and mixing chamber for the column eluent and organic make-up flow. The column was then directly connected to an electrospray mass spectrometer (Hewlett-Packard series 1100 MSD, single quadrupole).

[0162] For operation in frontal chromatography mode, the column was first flushed with ammonium acetate buffer (NH₄OAc, 2 mM, pH 6.7). After flushing, the flow was switched to a second solution containing a mixture of the six oligosaccharides in ammonium acetate buffer, each present at 1 μM. All solutions were infused concurrently with a multi-syringe pump (PHD 200, Harvard Apparatus) at a flow rate of 8 μL/min/syringe (1 cc syringes). A Rheodyne valve (Model 9725) was used for flow switching. The column effluent combined with the make-up flow (10% 2 mM NH₄OAc buffer in acetonitrile) in the tee to provide a flow rate of 16 μL/min into the mass spectrometer.

[0163] For the analysis of this mixture, the spectrometer was scanned from m/z 100-1500. Data was collected in scan mode with positive ion detection. A total ion chromatogram (TIC) was constructed from a 50 minute run time as shown in FIG. 5A. This represented the consumption of only 400 pmol of each oligosaccharide. Peaks at specific m/z values were then identified through the analysis of the mass spectra giving rise to the TIC and selected ion chromatograms for all six compounds were reconstructed from the TIC as shown in FIG. 5B. Compounds 1-3 break through the column simultaneously as indicated by the solid line. Mass spectra were then generated from time-slices of the TIC (at times I, II and III) as shown in FIGS. 5C, 5D and SE. These mass spectra chart the progression of the various oligosaccharides through the column. A spectrum representing the onset of compound 4 is not shown.

[0164] As discussed above, ligands having no affinity for the target receptor break through at the void volume (V₀), while compounds having an affinity for the target ligand break through later, at volumes relating to their concentrations and K_(d) values, according to the following equation: ${V_{\tau} - V_{0}} = \frac{B_{t}}{\lbrack X\rbrack_{0} + \left( K_{d} \right)_{x}}$

[0165] where B_(t) represents the dynamic binding capacity of the column; [X]₀ is the infusion concentration of the ligand in the compound library; K_(d) is the dissociation constant for the ligand; V₀ is the void volume; and V_(x) represents the volume at the mid-point of the front corresponding to the break through of the ligand.

[0166] In order to determine B_(t), compound 5 was infused through the column at various concentrations and the corresponding V−V₀ values measured. A plot of ([A]₀(V−V₀))⁻¹ versus [A]₀ ⁻¹ was generated, where A is compound 5, as shown in FIG. 6. The y-intercept indicated a B_(t) of 520 pmol. Each antibody molecule contains two binding sites, therefore this corresponds to an active capacity of 260 pmol of protein (representing 93% of the total amount of protein bound). The x-intercept indicated a K_(d) of 11.2 μM for compound 5, which compares favorably with the value determined by microcalorimetry as shown in Table 1.

[0167] Knowledge of the column capacity prior to the screening of a mixture allows for the determination of dissociation constants from a single frontal chromatogram. For compounds with [X]<<(K_(d))_(x), the K_(d) can be determined simply from B_(t)/(V−V₀). For example, compound 4 was shown to have a K_(d) of 0.2 mM, as determined from the chromatogram of FIG. 5B. Compounds with low dissociation constants require either the knowledge of their concentration or the infusion of the mixture at higher dilution for the determination of K_(d). The K_(d) of compound 6, at a 1 μM concentration, was determined from the same chromatogram to be 1.5 μM.

[0168] The column was regenerated offline by washing with a large volume of binding buffer. The column used in this example was subjected to over 150 runs with no observable loss of activity or leaching of the antibody.

[0169] The results from this experiment are shown in Table 1. TABLE 1 K_(d) ² No. Oligosaccharide¹ (MNa)⁺ Literature FC/MS 1 αGalNAc(1→3)βGal-OGr 576.3 — — 2 αGal(1→3)[αFuc(1→2)] 681.3 — — βGalO-Gr 3 αMan(1→3)[αMan(1→6)] 697.3 — — βMan-OGr 4 αAbe(1→3)αTal-OCH₃ 347.0 1.9 × 10⁻⁴ 1.6 × 10⁻⁴ 5 αGal(1→2)[αAbe(1→3)] 509.2 6.3 × 10⁻⁶ 1.1 × 10⁻⁵ αMan-OCH₃ 6 αGlc(1→4)βGlc(1→4)αGal 1157.4 8.8 × 10⁻⁷ 1.5 × 10⁻⁶ (1→2)[αAbe(1→3)]αMan (1→3)αGlc(1→4)βGlc-OCH₃

[0170] The results in Table 1 demonstrate that the affinity of various putative ligands in a compound library for a target receptor can be determined relative to other putative ligands in the library; and that the dissociation constant, K_(d), for putative ligands and the target receptor can be determined. The results further demonstrate that there is an acceptable correlation between the literature K_(d) values and those generated by FC-MS procedures.

Example 2 Screening of an Oligosaccharide Library Using FC-MS and an Indicator Compound

[0171] In this example, the use of an indicator compound to screen a compound library is demonstrated. The antibody used in this example was the same as that used in Example 1, i.e., a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the 3,6-dideoxy-D-galactose (abequose) epitope in Salmonella paratyphi B O-antigens. The column was also essentially the same as the column in Example 1 and it was prepared and operand as described therein.

[0172] In this experiment, three solutions were prepared. Solution A contained the following four oligosaccharide in 2 mM NH₄OAc: αGalNAc(1→3)βGal-OGr (compound 1); αGal(1→3)[αFuc(1→2)]βGal-OGr (compound 2); αMan(1→3)[αMan(1→6)]βMan-OGr (compound 3); αAbe(1→3)αTal-OCH₃ (compound 4), wherein Gr=O(CH₂)₈CO₂CH₃. Solution B contained αGal(1→2)[αAbe(1→3)]αMan-OCH₃ (compound 5) in 2 mM NH₄OAc; and Solution C contained compounds 1-5 in 2 mM NH₄OAc. In all solutions, compounds 1, 2 and 3 were present at 1 μM, compound 4 was present at 0.16 μM, and compound 5 was present at 15 μM. In this example, compound 4 was used as the indicator compound and compound 5 was used to represented a member of a compound library. The remaining compounds were used to determine V₀.

[0173] Solution A containing compounds 1-4 was infused into the column as described in Example 1. A quadrupole mass spectrometer was used to monitor the effluent. The mass spectrometer was operated in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode, on the (M+Na)⁺ peak of each compound. FIG. 5A shows the selected ion chromatograms generated from an infusion of compounds 1-4 (i.e., Solution A). The breakthrough volume for compound 4 was 3.0±0.1 μL. The column was regenerated by flushing with the binding buffer (i.e., 2 mM NH₄OAc) for about 10 min. at which time essentially all traces of compound 4 were removed.

[0174] Using the apparatus of FIG. 1, Solution B (compound 5) and Solution C (compounds 1-5) were loaded into separate syringes. Solution B was infused through the column until dynamic equilibrium for compound 5 was attained. At this point, the flow was switched to the syringe carrying Solution C, and the selected ion chromatograms of FIG. 7B were generated using the quadrupole mass spectrometer. As shown in FIG. 7B, pre-equilibration of the column with compound 5 leads to a measurable shift in the breakthrough volume of the indicator compound 4 (to 1.1±0.3 μl). This is consistent with the fact that compound 5 is a ligand having a K_(d) for the antibody lower than that of the indicator compound 4 (see Table 1 above). Therefore, by simply monitoring the indicator compound, the fact that the representative library contained a compound with a higher affinity for the target receptor was readily apparent.

[0175] Note that while the indicator compound (compound 4) in this experiment was added to a solution of the representative library (compound 5), this will not always be necessary. In those situations where the library (Solution B) contains a strongly retained compound (i.e., low K_(d) or off-rate), Solution A can be substituted for Solution C (i.e., the indicator does not need to be mixed with the library).

Example 3 Screening of an Oligosaccharide Library Using FC-MS

[0176] In this example, a compound library containing a mixture of four oligosaccharides was screened using frontal chromatography in combination with an electrospray mass spectrometer to determine the relative affinity of the oligosaccharides for cholera toxin B subunit.

[0177] The compound library consisted of the following four oligosaccharides: αGalNAc(1→3)βGal-OGr (compound 1); αGal(1→3)[αFuc(1→2)]βGal-OGr (compound 2); αMan(1→3)[αMan(1→6)]βMan-OGr (compound 3); and GM, oligosaccharide (compound 7, wherein Gr=O(CH₂)₈CO₂CH₃. Compound 7, which is the natural ligand for cholera toxin B subunit, was obtained using the procedures described in A. Schön et al., “Thermodynamics of Intersubunit Interactions in Cholera Toxin upon Binding to the Oligosaccharide Portion of Its Cell Surface Receptor, Ganglioside G_(M1)” Biochem. 1989, 28, 5019-5024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Cholera toxin B subunit was obtained from LIST Biochemicals, Campbell, Calif.

[0178] A column was prepared from a 12 cm section of 0.01″ (250 μm) i.d. PEEK tubing (column volume of about 6 μL). The column was packed with POROS 20 immobilized streptavidin particles (available from Perseptive Biosystems, Framingham, Mass.).

[0179] Cholera toxin B subunit (a pentameric protein) was biotinylated to provide about 1-2 biotins/monomer, as measured by MALDI. A dilute solution of this biotinylated protein (4 μM) was infused through the pre-packed column such that the total amount of cholera toxin B subunit bound was approximately 200 pmol after washing (as determined by UV quantitation).

[0180] A solution containing compounds 1-3 and 7 was prepared. All compounds were present at 2 μM, in 2 mM NH₄OAc (pH 6.9). Using an apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 1, the column was first equilibrated with the binding buffer (2 mM NH₄OAc). The solution containing compounds 1-3 and 7 was then infused through the column at 8 μL/min. The effluent was combined with a typical make-up flow (10% 2mM NH₄OAc in acetonitrile) and passed into an electrospray single quadrupole mass spectrometer. Data was collected in scan mode, with negative ion detection.

[0181] A total ion chromatogram was generated, followed by reconstruction of selected ion chromatograms for each of compounds 1-3 and 7 as shown in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG. 8, compounds 1-3 broke through in the void volume of the system (˜4 min×8 μL/min=32 μL) while compound 7 (GM₁ oligosaccharide) broke through at ˜300 μL. Thus, GM₁ oligosaccharide (K_(d)≅100 nM) has a stronger affinity for cholera toxin B subunit than compounds 1-3 which have little or no affinity for cholera toxin B subunit.

[0182] A second mixture was then prepared in the binding buffer and analyzed by FC-MS in a similar fashion. This mixture contained a synthetically prepared GM₁ analogue, i.e., βGal(1→3)βGalNAc(1→)-OCH₂CH₂O-(←2)αNeu5Ac, (compound 8) in an impure form (i.e. containing unidentified intermediates and reaction byproducts). Compound 8 was prepared by the methods described in P. Fugedi et al, “A Novel Promoter for the Efficient Construction of 1,2-trans Linkages in Glycoside Synthesis, Using Thioglycosides as Glycosyl Donors” Carbohydr. Res. 1986, 149, C9-C12; A. Marra et al., Stereoselective Synthesis of 2-Thioglycosides of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid”, Carbohydr. Res. 1989, 187, 35-42; and L. Lay et al., “Synthesis of the Propyl Glycoside of the Trisaccharide α-L-Fucp-(1→2)-β-D-Galp-(1→3)-β-D-GalpNAc. Components of a Tumor Antigen Recognized by the Antibody Mbr1” Helv. Chim. Acta. 1994, 77, 509-514; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The mixture was infused through the column, and the mass spectrometer was set to operate in selected ion monitoring mode, on negative ions representative of compounds 3 and 8. Selected ion chromatograms were generated for these ions as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows that compound 3 broke through in the void volume (m/z 673.2). A more complex pattern was observed for the ions with a mass/charge of 717.2 u. A certain fraction of these ions also broke through in the void volume (˜25%), while the remaining 75% broke through significantly later (at about 11 min). This two-front profile indicates an isobaric impurity exists at the 25% level, which does not bind to cholera toxin B subunit. Thus, FC-MS is able to ascertain the presence of isobaric, non-binding impurities. Reasonably accurate quantitation of these impurities can also be achieved.

[0183] From the foregoing description, various modifications and changes in the composition and method will occur to those skilled in the art. All such modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be included therein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for screening a compound library to determine the relative or absolute affinity of a plurality of putative ligands to a target receptor, which method comprises: (a) providing a compound library comprising a plurality of putative ligands, (b) continuously applying the compound library to a column comprising a target receptor optionally bound to a solid phase support under frontal chromatography conditions whereby the target receptor is continuously contacted with the compound library to provide an effluent; (c) continuously or intermittently applying the effluent to a mass spectrometer to provide mass spectra of the constituent putative ligands present in the effluent; and (d) evaluating the mass spectra to determine a break through time for each of the putative ligands.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of: (e) determining an affinity to the target receptor for a putative ligand in each library relative to another putative ligand in the same library by comparing the break through time on the column for the putative ligand relative to the other putative ligand in the same library.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of: (f) determining a dissociation constant, K_(d), for a putative ligand in the compound library and the target receptor.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound library comprises less than about 10,000 putative ligands.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the compound library comprises about 5 to about 100 putative ligands.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound library comprises putative ligands selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, lipids, retinoids, steroids, glycopeptides, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and synthetic analogs or derivatives thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound library comprises putative ligands selected from the group consisting of synthetic small molecule organic compounds.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the target receptor is selected from the group consisting of proteins, glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, integrins, enzymes, lectins, selecting, cell-adhesion molecules, toxins, bacterial pili, transport proteins, receptors involved in signal transduction or hormone-binding, hormones, antibodies, major histocompatability complexes, immunoglobulin superfamilies, cadherins, DNA or DNA fragments, RNA and RNA fragments, whole cells, tissues, bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, preons, and synthetic analogs or derivatives thereof.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the target receptor is bound to a solid phase support.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the target receptor is covalently bound to the solid phase support or bound via biotin-avidin or biotin-streptavidin binding.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the solid phase support is selected from the group consisting of resin beads, glass beads, silica chips, silica capillaries and agarose.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the column contains from about 1 pmol to about 10 nmol of target receptor active sites.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the effluent from the column is diluted with a supplemental diluent before step (c).
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the supplement diluent comprises a major amount of an organic solvent and a minor amount of an aqueous buffer.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, methanol and isopropanol.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the mass spectrometer is an electrospray mass spectrometer.
 17. A method for screening a plurality of compound libraries to determine the relative or absolute affinity of a plurality of putative ligands in each library to a target receptor, which method comprises: (a) providing a plurality of compound libraries, each library comprising a plurality of putative ligands, (b) continuously applying each compound library to a separate column comprising a target receptor optionally bound to a solid phase support under frontal chromatography conditions whereby the target receptor is continuously contacted with the compound library to provide an effluent from each column; (c) intermittently applying the effluent from each column to a mass spectrometer to provide mass spectra of the constituent putative ligands present in the effluent; and (d) evaluating the mass spectra to determine a break through time for each of the putative ligands in each compound library.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said method further comprises the step of: (e) determining a relative affinity for each of the putative ligands in each library to the target receptor by comparing the break through time on the column for each of the putative ligands in each library relative to the other putative ligands in the same library.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein said method further comprises the step of: (f) determining a dissociation constant, K_(d), for a putative ligand in a compound library and the target receptor.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein said plurality of columns comprises from 2 to about 100 columns.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein each compound library independently comprises less than about 10,000 putative ligands.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein each compound library independently comprises about 5 to about 100 putative ligands.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein each compound library independently comprises putative ligands selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, lipids, retinoids, steroids, glycopeptides, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and synthetic analogs or derivatives thereof.
 24. The method of claim 17, wherein each compound library independently comprises putative ligands selected from the group consisting of synthetic small molecule organic compounds.
 25. The method of claim 17, wherein each target receptor is independently selected from the group consisting of proteins, glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, integrins, enzymes, lectins, selectins, cell-adhesion molecules, toxins, bacterial pili, transport proteins, receptors involved in signal transduction or hormone-binding, hormones, antibodies, major histocompatability complexes, immunoglobulin superfamilies, cadherins, DNA or DNA fragments, RNA and RNA fragments, whole cells, tissues, bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, preons, and synthetic analogs or derivatives thereof.
 26. The method of claim 17, wherein each target receptor is bound to a solid phase support.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein each target receptor is covalently bound to the solid phase support or bound via biotin-avidin or biotin-streptavidin binding.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the solid phase support is selected from the group consisting of resin beads, glass beads, silica chips, silica capillaries and agarose.
 29. The method of claim 17, wherein each column contains from about 1 pmol to about 10 nmol of target receptor active sites.
 30. The method of claim 17, wherein the effluent from each column is diluted with a supplemental diluent before step (c).
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the supplement diluent comprises a major amount of an organic solvent and a minor amount of an aqueous buffer.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, methanol and isopropanol.
 33. The method of claim 17, wherein the mass spectrometer is an electrospray mass spectrometer.
 34. A method for screening a compound library to determine the relative affinity of a plurality of putative ligands to a target receptor relative to one or more indicator compounds, which method comprises: (a) providing a compound library comprising a plurality of putative ligands, (b) continuously applying the compound library to a column comprising a target receptor optionally bound to a solid phase support under frontal chromatography conditions to equilibrate the column with the compound library; (c) providing at least one indicator compound having a pre-determined affinity for the target receptor and having a pre-determined break through time on the column in the absence of the compound library; (d) continuously applying (i) a mixture comprising the compound library and the indicator compound, or (ii) the indicator compound, to the column under frontal chromatography conditions to provide an effluent; (e) analyzing the effluent by mass spectrometry to determine a break through time for the indicator compound.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein said method further comprises the step of: (f) determining whether any putative ligands of the compound library have an affinity for the target receptor greater than the indicator compound by comparing the break through time for the indicator compound from step (e) with the pre-determined break through time for the indicator compound in the absence of the compound library.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the compound library comprises less than about 50,000 putative ligands.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the compound library comprises about 5 to about 100 putative ligands.
 38. The method of claim 35, wherein the compound library comprises putative ligands selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, lipids, retinoids, steroids, glycopeptides, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and synthetic analogs or derivatives thereof.
 39. The method of claim 35, wherein the compound library comprises putative ligands selected from the group consisting of synthetic small molecule organic compounds.
 40. The method of claim 35, wherein the target receptor is selected from the group consisting of proteins, glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, integrins, enzymes, lectins, selecting, cell-adhesion molecules, toxins, bacterial pili, transport proteins, receptors involved in signal transduction or hormone-binding, hormones, antibodies, major histocompatability complexes, immunoglobulin superfamilies, cadherins, DNA or DNA fragments, RNA and RNA fragments, whole cells, tissues, bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, preons, and synthetic analogs or derivatives thereof.
 41. The method of claim 35, wherein the target receptor is bound to a solid phase support.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the target receptor is covalently bound to the solid phase support or bound via biotin-avidin or biotin-streptavidin binding.
 43. The method of claim 41, wherein the solid phase support is selected from the group consisting of resin beads, glass beads, silica chips, silica capillaries and agarose.
 44. The method of claim 35, wherein the column contains from about 1 pmol to about 10 nmol of target receptor active sites.
 45. The method of claim 35, wherein the pre-determined break through time for the indicator compound in the absence of the compound library is less than about 5 minutes.
 46. The method of claim 35, wherein the effluent from the column is diluted with a supplemental diluent before step (e).
 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the supplement diluent comprises a major amount of an organic solvent and a minor amount of an aqueous buffer.
 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, methanol and isopropanol.
 49. The method of claim 1, wherein the mass spectrometer is an electrospray mass spectrometer.
 50. A method for screening a plurality of compound libraries to determine the relative affinity of a plurality of putative ligands to a target receptor relative to one or more indicator compounds, which method comprises: (a) providing a plurality of compound libraries comprising a plurality of putative ligands, (b) continuously applying each compound library to a separate column comprising a target receptor optionally bound to a solid phase support under frontal chromatography conditions to equilibrate the column with the compound library; (c) providing at least one indicator compound having a pre-determined affinity for the target receptor and having a pre-determined break through time on each column in the absence of the compound library; (d) continuously applying (i) a mixture comprising the compound library and the indicator compound, or (ii) the indicator compound, to each column under frontal chromatography conditions to provide an effluent; (e) analyzing the effluent from each column by mass spectrometry to determine a break through time for the indicator compound.
 51. The method of claim 50, wherein said method further comprises the step of: (f) determining whether any putative ligands of a compound library have an affinity for the target receptor greater than the indicator compound by comparing the break through time for the indicator compound from step (e) with the pre-determined break through time for the indicator compound in the absence of the compound library.
 52. The method of claim 50, wherein each compound library independently comprises less than about 50,000 putative ligands.
 53. The method of claim 52, wherein each compound library independently comprises about 5 to about 100 putative ligands.
 54. The method of claim 50, wherein each compound library independently comprises putative ligands selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, lipids, retinoids, steroids, glycopeptides, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and synthetic analogs or derivatives thereof.
 55. The method of claim 50, wherein each compound library independently comprises putative ligands selected from the group consisting of synthetic small molecule organic compounds.
 56. The method of claim 50, wherein each target receptor is independently selected from the group consisting of proteins, glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, integrins, enzymes, lectins, selectins, cell-adhesion molecules, toxins, bacterial pili, transport proteins, receptors involved in signal transduction or hormone-binding, hormones, antibodies, major histocompatability complexes, immunoglobulin superfamilies, cadherins, DNA or DNA fragments, RNA and RNA fragments, whole cells, tissues, bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, preons, and synthetic analogs or derivatives thereof.
 57. The method of claim 50, wherein each target receptor is bound to a solid phase support.
 58. The method of claim 57, wherein each target receptor is covalently bound to the solid phase support or bound via biotin-avidin or biotin-streptavidin binding.
 59. The method of claim 57, wherein the solid phase support is selected from the group consisting of resin beads, glass beads, silica chips, silica capillaries and agarose.
 60. The method of claim 50, wherein each column contains from about 1 pmol to about 10 nmol of target receptor active sites.
 61. The method of claim 50, wherein the pre-determined break through time for the indicator compound in the absence of the compound library is less than about 5 minutes.
 62. The method of claim 50, wherein the effluent from each column is diluted with a supplemental diluent before step (c).
 63. The method of claim 62, wherein the supplement diluent comprises a major amount of an organic solvent and a minor amount of an aqueous buffer.
 64. The method of claim 63, wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, methanol and isopropanol.
 65. The method of claim 50, wherein the mass spectrometer is an electrospray mass spectrometer. 